Royal Cambodian Air Force
{{Short description|Air warfare branch of Cambodia's armed forces}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Royal Cambodian Air Force
| native_name = {{lang|km|កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស}}
| image = Royal Cambodian Air Force Wings.svg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Badge of the Royal Cambodian Air Force
| start_date = {{start date and age|1953|11|09|df=yes}}
| country = {{flag|Cambodia}}
| allegiance = HM The King
| branch =
| type = Air force
| role = Aerial warfare
| size =
| command_structure = Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
| garrison = Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto = "{{lang|km|ការពារព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា}}" (Khmer)
{{small|("Defend the Kingdom of Cambodia")}}
| colours =
| colours_label =
| march =
| mascot = Aafra Zarnaz Auhona
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles = * Indochina Wars
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| flying_hours =
| website = {{Official URL}}
| commander1 = General Soeung Samnang
| commander1_label =
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol = 90px
| identification_symbol_label = Roundel
| identification_symbol_2 = 90px
| identification_symbol_2_label = Fin flash
| identification_symbol_3 = 90px
| identification_symbol_3_label = Flag
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic =
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_helicopter =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_general =
}}
The Royal Cambodian Air Force ({{langx|km|កងទ័ពជើងអាកាស|Kâng Toăp Cheung Akas}} {{IPA|km|kɑːŋtɔəp cəːŋ ʔaːkaːh|}}; {{literal translation|Air Force}}) is the branch of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces which is charged with operating all military aircraft in Cambodia.
Organisation
The Royal Cambodian Air Force is commanded by General Soeung Samnang, who has four deputy commanders beneath him. The Air Force itself is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Defence.
Air Force headquarters are located at Phnom Penh International Airport and is still sign posted Pochentong Air Base. The only operational aircraft at Pochentong Air Base are from the VIP squadron. Maintenance of aircraft and helicopters is also at Pochentong. The airworthy Z-9 and Mi-17 helicopters from the helicopter squadron are based at Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport.
Recently, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense plans to purchase five L-39NG light fighter jets from the Czech Republic. In the past, the Cambodian Air Force has already purchased Mil Mi-17 and Mil Mi-171 helicopters.
Inventory
= Previous inventory =
In the past some MiG-21 fighters were operational. These aircraft in 2023 could be seen on ground in Phnom Penh International Airport.
File:Cambodian Air Force Mil Mi-26T Nathalie.jpg of the Royal Cambodian Air Force.{{cite web |url= http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf |title = World Air Forces 2015 pg. 12|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2015 |access-date= 26 December 2014}}]]
| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Type ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant ! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service ! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | Transport |
|---|
| Airbus A320
| France | | |
| Xian MA60
| | |
| Harbin Y-12
|China | Transport / Utility | | |
| Britten-Norman BN-2
|Transport | | |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | Helicopters |
| Mil Mi-8
| Utility | | |
| Mil Mi-17
| Soviet Union | Utility | | |
| Harbin Z-9
| China | Utility | |1 Harbin Z-9 was lost in an accident on 12 July 2024 |
| Eurocopter AS350
|France |Utility | | |
| AgustaWestland AW109
|Utility | | |
| style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | Trainer aircraft |
| Aero L-39
|L-39C |6 |Retired |
Sport
{{main article|Royal Cambodian Air Force FC}}
The force maintains a professional association football team as one of its branches, which formerly played in the C-League.
Ranks
{{main|Military ranks of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces}}
=Commissioned officer ranks=
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Cambodia}} |
=Other ranks=
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Cambodia}} |
See also
References
{{Commons category|Air force of Cambodia}}
{{Reflist}}
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 11–17 December 2012, Vol. 182 No. 5370. pp. 40–64. ISSN 0015-3710.
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 194, No. 5665, 4–10 December 2018, pp. 32–60. {{ISSN|0015-3710}}
- World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 337 Sheet 05
{{Association of SouthEast Asian Nations Armed Forces}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}